Selectmen support trail rehaul; town phone use scrutinized

BY PATRICIA ROY SPECIAL TO THE LANDMARK

Who or what agency has responsibility for maintaining the popular Rail Trail in town was debated at the selectmen's meeting Monday.

Gary Kellaher, Department of Public Works superintendent, asked for the clarification after discussions with Wachusett Greenways, a conservation group that manages some 30 miles of the Mass. Central Rail Trail.

The group is looking for town help with maintaining drainage ditches and clearing trail shoulders.

Kellaher went over the trail with a Wachusett Greenways representative last week.

"Most of the trail is in deplorable condition," Kellaher said, adding that beyond a backhoe, the DPW does not have the equipment to repair the drainage ditches.

Trail maintenance is not clearly defined, since portions of the trail are split among different organizations - the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the town and private owners all having ownership of the pathway.

Selectman Sheila Dibb supported the town helping out with trail maintenance, but only if the town could afford it.

"I don't want any of the trail compromised," Dibb said. "We are responsible for sections of it." Dibb suggested that perhaps local scouting organizations could get involved in the work.

Dibb said she didn't see the town having the money to do anything to fix the trail this year.

"I think we'll have to take a bye this summer," she said.

However, Dibb acknowledged that the trail is a great resource and used by a lot of people. Selectmen gave Dibb the task of finding documentation that outlines the town's share of trail maintenance.

"I would like to see some documentation of what we're expected to do," board chairman Leroy "Skip" Clark said. "We're low on money and Gary's thin on help."